Earlier this month, pop singer Mika took to the internet to help raise money for the people of Beirut following the deadly explosion that killed 157 people in August. Now, the star is ready to show just how much of a difference his fans helped make.
On Wednesday (Sept. 30), Mika announced that the "I Heart Beirut" benefit concert officially raised more than 1 million pounds (nearly $1.3 million in U.S. dollars), thanks to tickets sales, sponsorships and additional GoFundMe donations from fans. The singer said that all the money will be split between two charities: the Lebanese Red Cross and Save the Children.
"We wanted to announce this amount together, and to thank you all - everyone around the world who bought a ticket to the stream, donated to GoFundMe and our sponsors for helping us to raise such an amazing amount of money," Mika said in a video call with secretary general of the Lebanese Red Cross Georges Kettaneh, and CEO of Save the Children UK Kevin Watkins. “This has been a project that was born out of and made possible by love, and a huge amount of collaboration with friends and many new friends made in the process.”
The concert, which took place on September 19, featured a slew of guest stars, including Kylie Minogue, Rufus Wainwright, Salma Hayek and many more. Fans from over 120 countries purchased tickets and tuned into the livestream, and TV stations throughout France, Italy and Canada have purchased the concert for pay per view access.
In August, Mika penned a letter to the people of Beirut, expressing his heartbreak and anger over the explosion and the ensuing protests since. "I know your resilience, your strength and your solidarity, nurtured by your mix of cultures, by this special place you occupy, halfway between the Arab world and Europe," he wrote. "Tomorrow, you will rise up as you have always done before. Music will pour once again from your windows. People will dance on your terraces and perfumes will waft from your kitchens. I will be there."
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